Do I need a visa for the UK?

A visa is generally needed if you (or your family) are nationals of a country outside the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland. This visa is called "entry clearance" because it gives you permission to enter the UK.

If you are a national of the EEA or Switzerland, you do not need immigration permission to enter the UK.

11 month short-term study visa

The 11 month Short-term Study visa is only valid for a maximum of 11 months. This is for students who are studying on an English language course only and is non-renewable. Employment is prohibited on this type of visa.

Standard visitor visa (under 18)

For students that are under the age of 18, and who come to the United Kingdom to study for up to 30 days, as long as it is not the main reason for your visit.

This visa is called a standard visitor visa and allows the holder to come to the UK to study full time at INTO for a maximum of six months.

(Tier 4) general students - points based system (PBS)

This is the main visa for studying in the UK and is for students studying a course of more than 6 months duration or who wish to have full 'student' visa entitlements in the UK.

This visa allows the holder to come to the UK to study full time on any INTO course.

Students applying for a Tier 4 visa will need to take a Secure English Language Test (SELT) to demonstrate their English language level and meet the entry requirements of the course. UKVI IELTS tests are Secure English Language Tests, approved by the UK Visas and Immigration department, and give an IELTS score. The minimum English language level entry requirements for a Tier 4 visa are:

IELTS 4 or equivalent for any INTO A-level, International Foundation and Diploma programme.

IELTS 5.5 or equivalent for any INTO Graduate Diploma, Degree or Postgraduate programme.

The course you would like to study determines which English language tests you need to take to apply for your visa.